The investigation revealed alleged misconduct and bribery involving agents tasked with handling narcotics seizures.
In December, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of Karachi police suspended officers investigating a case related to the alleged sale of part of a 508kg narcotics consignment, valued at Rs 280 million, seized during an earlier operation that led to 14 arrests. The SIU launched an investigation led by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Western Zone Irfan Ali Baloch.
On December 1, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, AIG Karachi Javed Alam Odho, DIG West Irfan Baloch and DIG CIA announced a major narcotics seizure in a joint press conference. The shipment reportedly included 468 kg of hashish and 40 kg of methamphetamine. Authorities said this is the largest drug seizure recorded in the city to date.
It was later alleged that the drugs recovered from SIU custody were being sold by DSP Wasif Qureshi and sub-inspector Aijaz Butt. They also faced accusations of accepting bribes from a convicted drug trafficker and an excise official in exchange for leniency in the case.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar took note of the allegations, prompting Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho to suspend DSP Wasif Qureshi and Sub-Inspector Aijaz Butt and order an investigation.
Read: SIU police officers allegedly involved in the sale of seized drugs
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, AIG Odho confirmed the suspension of the officers and said the investigation had been handed over to DIG West. “While the narcotics seizure was a significant achievement for police, it has unfortunately been marred by the misconduct of some individuals,” he added.
Statements were collected from police officers and the 14 people arrested in the initial crackdown. Among them was Excise Department assistant tax officer Javed Rasheed, who was arrested after 50 kg of hashish and 10 kg of methamphetamine were recovered from his house.
The report also alleges that the suspended sub-inspector and police officer accepted bribes from a drug dealer and an excise official. While the charge of selling drugs was dropped, the bribery charge remains against Sub-Inspector Butt and Police Officer Rehmat.
According to the SIU report, DSP Qureshi has been acquitted of charges of alleged drug sale and bribery.
DIG Baloch compiled the report and submitted it to Karachi Police Chief Odho, who will supervise the case.
